We're helping to distribute this powerful, strongly-worded letter to Republican leaders in the House demanding that they stop acting like they're defending Tom DeLay and restore integrity to the House.

According to a story by Todd Gillman of the Dallas Morning News (registration required), DeLay's legal defense fund's receipts slowed to just $50,000 in the first quarter of this year, as compared to the $430,000 it took in for the last half of 2004.

Just in from National Journal's CongressDaily, a report from ousted Ethics Committee Chairman Joel Hefley (R-CO) on the response of GOPers when an "unidentified member" (House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO)) spoke up for Tom DeLay at the weekly Republican Conference meeting:

Political commentators Steve and Cokie Roberts offer up these tidbits on DeLay, his ethical woes, and what should be done about them and DeLay:

"Thanks to his repeated refusal to play by the ethical rules, DeLay has stained the reputation of the institution he leads. And his fellow Republicans have compounded the damage by sabotaging the system for holding members accountable.

Groups on the far right are rallying grassroots troops to support DeLay. The targets: wavering GOP members of Congress, who obstensibly are led by DeLay in the House. Do you think this will go over well with moderate GOP members of the House already worried about DeLay's scandals and what it's doing to the Republican Party?